BLACK HISTORY MONTH BEER SERIES
Each year we release a special beer series during Black History Month that are beers inspired by African culture and prominent black figures. Take a look at all of our Black History Month Brews throughout the years!
To see which drinks are currently available click the button below:
2025
HERITAGE
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Inspired by Montclair African-American Heritage Foundation
Celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Montclair African-American Heritage Foundation with this bold and vibrant barleywine-style ale. Crafted with African-inspired natural ingredients and spices, this limited-edition brew offers a rich malt character and warming strength, infused with a touch of African heritage. Its deep, complex notes pay tribute to the roots and resilience of Black history and culture.
BAOLAGER
Inspired by The African Baobab Tree and Montclair Brewery's 6th Anniversary in 2024
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Experience the refreshing taste of Africa with Baobab Light Lager—a crisp, smooth lager brewed with the legendary African baobab fruit. Infused with natural citrusy notes, this unique brew delivers a perfectly balanced flavor, creating a whole new African-style lager. Light, refreshing, and full of character, it’s the perfect choice for those who seek adventure in every sip.
Taste the spirit of Africa.
BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL
Inspired by Weathered Souls Brewing and the Racial Reckoning followed by George Floyd's Murder
​​​First brewed in 2021 and each year since, our unique take on the global "Black is Beautiful" beer collaboration stout features a masterful twist—an exclusive infusion of Baobab fruit imported from West Africa. This rare ingredient adds a perfect balance of rich and light, enhancing the nutty, malty depth with a touch of citrusy brightness. The result? A dark, complex stout with layers of deep chocolatey notes and a smooth, refined finish.
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MAYA
Inspired by
Dr. Maya Angelou
​​​​A super juicy and fruity Double IPA bursting with bright citrusy notes from Mosaic and Simcoe hops, elevated by the lush sweetness of real mango purée. Originally brewed in 2022 to honor Maya Angelou for Women’s History Month, this bold and flavorful brew is a tribute to strength, creativity, and resilience. Every sip delivers a vibrant blend of tropical fruit, balanced bitterness, and a refreshingly smooth finish.
2024
BHM VOICES
Inspired by Black History Month
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Each year we release a special beer series during Black History Month. These are beers inspired by our owners' African, Caribbean and African American heritage. They often honor prominent figures from the African Diaspora.
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A crisp, hazy, unfiltered, white wheat ale with sweet and fruity notes of banana bread and clove. Brewed in honor of all the NJ legendary Voices especially those from Essex County.
SALUTE
GOLDEN ALE
Inspired by Hip Hop's 50th Anniversary & the Legendary DJ Duo Awesome 2
A special Golden Ale developed in collaboration with legendary Hip Hop DJ Awesome 2, to Salute Hip Hop's Golden 50th Anniversary and its growing influence around the world. Salute is a smooth, light and super crisp Golden Ale, perfect for drinking all year-round.
2023
BEER IS BLACK HISTORY
BLACK LAGER
Inspired by the origin of the first beer
Brewery’s Beer is Black History beer is a 7% ABV Black Lager and a national collaboration with Oak Park Brewing Company and with lifestyle brand, Draught Season. This initiative shines a light on the less than 1% black brewery owners in the craft beer industry. Inspired by the origins of the first known beer recipe dating back to 3900 B.C. Mesopotamia, the collaboration’s goal is to amplify the voices of the underrepresented in the industry with a beer crafted for all.
It will be available on draught in the taproom and at several bars and liquor shops in New York City and New Jersey.
HOWE HOUSE
BELGIAN-STYLE ALE
Inspired by James Howe
The Howe House Belgian-Style ale was brewed to highlight and support the preservation of the “Freed Slave House.” The house is one of the oldest standing houses since 1780 and is one of Montclair’s most important pieces of history. It was the first Montclair house to be owned by a black person. The Howe House recently faced a potential erasure from history when it was put up for sale, targeting investors. The Friends of the Howe house quickly organized and saved the house from an investor sale. A portion of all taproom sales from this beer will be donated to Friends of the Howe house so they can pay off the bank note and help preserve the house and give it back to the black community.
2022
AUBREY LEWIS BROWN ALE
Inspired by Aubrey Lewis
The Aubrey Ale is inspired by Montclair, New Jersey’s local icon, Aubrey Lewis Sr. This local legend lived in Montclair his entire life, starting his impressive athletic career at Montclair High School which continued into college where he was the first African American to be a sports captain at Notre Dame University. After his athletic career he remained a trailblazer being a part of the first integrated FBI class, Vice President at Woolworths Corp, co-founder of BRAG and a member of many other boards. This Brown Ale is both sweet and nutty with notes of caramel, honey, and toasted bread.
THOMSANK INDEPENDENCE ALE
Inspired by Thomas Sankara
The ThomSank Independence Ale was created in honor of Thomas Sankara, a charismatic leader whose mission was to transform Burkina Faso into a self-sufficient, independent country. Sankara, also known as Che Guevara of Africa, rebuilt the economy, the policies, and created many opportunities for his country. This experimental ale incorporates red sorghum, an ingredient traditionally used in African beers, and baobab, a West African fruit with many health benefits. The ThomSank Independence ale is expected to be rose colored and full-bodied with a crisp finish.
BLACK MAMBA LAGER
Inspired by Kobe Bryant
Black Mamba Black Lager has the appearance of a stout or porter with the light drink ability of a lager. This brew is was created in honor of basketball star, Kobe Bryant, who was nicked “Black Mamba” during this career. The Black Mamba Lager was first released last year on August 24th, International Kobe Bryant Day, on draught only. This year, Montclair Brewery is giving it its own special can design that will be available in 16 oz cans in the brewery or through partnered bottle shops and restaurants early March. Growler fills will also be sold.
2021
NOBLE LIKE IT IS PORTER
Inspired by Gil Noble
This beer is in collaboration with the Harlem Brewing Company and is brewed with Jamaican pimento seeds, also known as allspice. The was developed to honor Noble’s Jamaican roots, as both of his parents were from Jamaica. Noble was a renowned journalist, pianist, producer, professor, news anchor and television host interviewed many famous African Americans, such as Nelson Mandela and Mohammed Ali. He was a 45-year resident of Montclair and taught media classes at various New Jersey schools, such as Saint Peter’s, Seton Hall, Rampo and New Jersey City University.
Click the button below to watch Leo and Denise, along with Celeste Beatty from Harlem Brewing Company interview Chris Noble, the son of Gil Noble.
BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL STOUT WITH BAOBAB AND PEANUT BUTTER
Inspired by George Washington Carver
This is a new twist on our version of the "Black is Beautiful" brew with the measured addition of the exclusive Baobab fruit during the boil and peanut butter added post fermentation. Peanut butter was selected as a homage to George Washington Carver, the African American agricultural scientist and inventor. He is often referred to as “peanut man” for developing more than 300 food, industrial and commercial products from peanuts.
BOSEMAN WILD ALE
Inspired by Chadwick Boseman
This beer is brewed with juniper berries to honor Chadwick Boseman. Boseman is a famous African American actor who is most known for his starring role in The Black Panther.
2020
DOBY MAJOR LEAGUES CARAMEL PALE ALE
Inspired by Larry Doby
Larry Doby was a former Negro League and American League baseball star. Doby was the 2nd player to break baseball’s color barrier-- 11 weeks after Jackie Robinson. In 1998, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame for his impactful contribution to baseball on and off the field. Doby settled in Montclair where he and his wife raised their children and where he later died in 2003.
TUBMAN RAILROAD STRAWBERRY PALE ALE
Inspired by Harriet Tubman
This beer was brewed to honor the courageous Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad that she and other abolitionists made famous during slavery. It is said that strawberries were Harriet Tubman’s favorite treat so we chose to make this brew with wild strawberry puree.
2019
Inspired by former African American slave, Antoine, and activist, Martin Luther King, Jr.
This brew incorporates the flavor of pecan, which is the only tree nut native to North America. A former African American slave in Louisiana known as Antoine was the first person to graft a wild pecan into seedling pecan stalks in 1876. Pecans also play a part in the life of one of America’s most revered activists: Martin Luther King, Jr. It has been reported that King’s favorite dessert was pecan pie.
PECAN PIE STOUT
THE MOTHERLAND
Inspired by Burkina Faso, Leo's home country in Africa
African tribes have been brewing forms of sorghum beer longer than is recorded in history books. This brew is inspired by the traditional African beer, aka “dolo”. This sorghum-based and gluten-free brew is a hazy and slightly spicy ale with grapefruit notes from the Cascade hopss.
THE KINGSTON PORTER
Inspired by Denise's Jamaican roots
This brew is named after, Kingston, the capital and largest city of the island of Jamaica. It was brewed to honor Denise's family heritage in Jamaica.
THE BAOBIERE
Inspired by the African Baobab tree
Brewed with the fruit of the legendary African Baobab tree - referred to as the Tree of Life
GOLDEN BUDDHA PASSION FRUIT ALE
Inspired by Denise's Jamaican Roots
A light-bodied, golden ale flavored with passion fruit puree. The passion fruit gives a nice tropical aroma with a light fruit flavor that does not over power. The Golden Buddha is a refreshing drink for those wanting more than a traditional craft beer.
RUDD DAIRY MILK STOUT
Inspired by the Rudd Family
This brew honors Montclair legend John Herman Rudd, his brother Wyatt and their dairy business and ice-cream shop in the mid 1940s and 1950s located in the South-End. Rudd was the first African-American ice-cream shop owner and is the grandson of a former slave